VinFunPark
Logo SLS
Logo SLS
Submit an article
VinFunPark
ISSN 2617-4162 e-ISSN 2617-4170

Social and Legal Studios

All Issues
Submit an article

Current

Social and Legal Studios

Vol. 9, No. 1, 2026

Social and Legal Studios

ISSN 2617-4162

e-ISSN 2617-4170

Publisher: Lviv State University of Internal Affairs

Received 19.08.2024, Revised 28.02.2025, Accepted 26.03.2025
Pages 336-349
https://doi.org/10.32518/sals1.2025.336
Vol. 8, No. 1, 2025
Article

Harmonisation of Ukrainian legislation with EU law in the field of alternative civil dispute resolution: Challenges and prospects


Abstract

The research relevance is determined by the urgent need to harmonise Ukrainian legislation in the process of European integration, as well as by the shortcomings of the Ukrainian judicial system – heavy court workload, lengthy and complex litigation, significant legal costs, and the phenomenon of continuation of the conflict in a latent form after a court decision is made due to the different perception of a fair resolution of the dispute between parties. The study aimed to outline the theoretical foundations of alternative dispute resolution and studying the experience of EU member states in terms of mechanisms and practices of their implementation. The study demonstrated that maintenance of partnership relations between the parties to a dispute is one of the most important factors contributing to the active development of alternative dispute resolution, since while courts use a narrow definition of the problem (only such circumstances that have legal significance), alternative dispute resolution uses a broad approach. As a rule, not only legal factors are covered (although sometimes they are excluded from consideration altogether), but also commercial interests, personal factors, public and even social factors, which substantially improves the balance of the interests among parties. The review of the implementation of alternative dispute resolution in different EU countries, as well as the analysis of the general EU approach in this area, concluded that there are no specific mandatory provisions in European law on the use of such practices in civil disputes, and Member States have a great deal of freedom to develop and implement appropriate paradigms and models. In the context of Ukrainian cultural aspects, including strong traditions of institutionalisation, it is recommended that judges be involved in the process of alternative dispute resolution in various roles. This would make the transition period smoother and ensure for the eventual development of perfect, “polished” and efficient national legislative mechanisms for alternative dispute resolution corresponding to European law and traditions


Keywords: alternative dispute resolution; EU law; legislative harmonisation; mediation; out-of-court dispute resolution


Suggested citation

Parasiuk, V., Grabar, N., Zdrenyk, I., Оnyshko, O., & Fedina, N. (2025). Harmonisation of Ukrainian legislation with EU law in the field of alternative civil dispute resolution: Challenges and prospects. Social and Legal Studios, 8(1), 336-349. https://doi.org/10.32518/sals1.2025.336
References

[1] Administrative Court Procedure Code. (2005, July). Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2747-15#Text.

[2] Akhtar, N., Nadeem, S., & Habib, R. (2023). Alternative dispute resolution: Concept, criticism and future of arbitration and mediation. Global Legal Studies Review, 8(2). 36-42. doi: 10.31703/glsr.2023(VIII-II).05.

[3] Ashton, D. (2024). Alternative dispute resolution. Retrieved from https://surl.li/vncyjn.

[4] Bartlet, M. (2024). Mediation and other forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution. London: Routledge.

[5] Biard, A. (2022). Consumer ADR/ODR in Europe. Journal of European Consumer and Market Law, 11(5), 181-187.

[6] Bungenberg, M., Koevski, G., Bohme, B., Kocev, L., Frohlich, M., & Zdraveva, N. (2025). Alternative dispute resolution in the Western Balkans. New York: Springer.

[7] Cauffman, C. (2018). Critical remarks on the ADR Directive. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

[8] Civil Procedure Code of Poland. (1964, November). Retrieved from https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/ details/22373.

[9] Civil Procedure Code of Ukraine. (2004, March). Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1618-15#Text.

[10] Code of Civil Procedure of France. (1976, January). Retrieved from https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/texte_lc/ LEGITEXT000006070716/2025-01-17.

[11] Commercial Procedure Code of Ukraine. (1991, November). Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1798-12#Text.

[12] Constitution of Ukraine. (1996, June). Retrieved from https://legislationline.org/taxonomy/term/23650#:~:text=Article%2064,by%20the%20Constitution%20of%20Ukraine.

[13] Cortes, P. (2022). Embedding alternative dispute resolution in the civil justice system: A taxonomy for ADR referrals and a digital pathway to increase the uptake of ADR. Legal Studies, 43(2), 312-330. doi: 10.1017/lst.2022.42.

[14] Criminal Code of Ukraine. (2001, April). Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2341-14#Text.

[15] Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine. (2012, April). Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/4651-17#Text.

[16] de la Rosa, F. (2018). ADR-Rooted ODR design in Europe: A bet for the future. International Journal on Online Dispute Resolution, 5, 154-162. doi: 10.5553/IJODR/235250022018005102014.

[17] Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council No. 2008/52/EC “On Certain Aspects of Mediation in Civil and Commercial”. (2008, May). Retrieved from https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2008/52/oj/eng.

[18] Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council No. 2013/11/EU “On Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes and Amending Regulation (EC) No. 2006/2004 and Directive 2009/22/EC (Directive on Consumer ADR)”. (2013, May). Retrieved from https://surl.li/ylkswl.

[19] Dragos, D., & Neaumtu, B. (2014). Alternative Dispute Resolution in European administrative law. New York: Springer.

[20] Elosegui, M., Miron, A., & Motoc, I. (2021). The rule of law in Europe: Recent challenges and judicial responses. Berlin: Springer.

[21] European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice. (2023). Guidelines on online alternative dispute resolution. Retrieved from https://rm.coe.int/dispute-resolution-en/1680b2ca19.

[22] European Law Institute. (2018). ELI-ENCJ statement on alternative dispute resolution approved. Retrieved from https://europeanlawinstitute.eu/news-events/news-contd/news/eli-encj-statement-on-alternative-dispute-resolution-approved/.

[23] Garvey, J., & Craver, Ch. (2021). Skills & values: Alternative dispute resolution: Negotiation, mediation, collaborative law, and arbitration. Durham: Carolina Academic Press.

[24] German Civil Procedure Code. (2021, October). Retrieved from https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_zpo/englisch_zpo.html.

[25] Heider, M., Nueber, M., & Schumacher, H., Siwy, A., & Zeiler, G. (2015). Dispute resolution in Austria: An introduction. Alphen aan den Rijn: Wolters Kluwer.

[26] Kas, B. (2022). The untapped potential of a structured interaction between courts and ADR for the resolution of consumer disputes in the EU. In X. Kramer, J. Hoevenaars, B. Kas & E. Themeli (Eds.), Frontiers in civil justice (pp. 22-39). London: Edward Elgar Publishing.

[27] Knudsen, L., & Balina, S. (2014). Alternative dispute resolution systems across the European Union, Iceland and Norway. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 109, 944-948. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.12.569.

[28] Kovach, Y. (2024). Judicial reform in Ukraine: Current state, problems and possible solutions. Bulletin of Criminological Association of Ukraine, 32(2), 419-439. doi: 10.32631/vca.2024.2.32.

[29] Kryshtanovych, M., Lapychak, N., Bundz, R., Drymalovska, K., Bohashko, O., & Herzanych, V. (2024). Administrative and legal guidelines for standardisation of financial reporting of enterprises as socio-economic systems. Financial and Credit Activity Problems of Theory and Practice, 4(57), 495-504. doi: 10.55643/fcaptp.4.57.2024.4472.

[30] Kyselova, T. (2017). Policy paper: Integration of mediation into Ukrainian court system. Kyiv: Council of Europe.

[31] Law of France No. 2016-1547 “On the Modernisation of Justice for the Twenty-First Century” (2016, November). Retrieved from https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/loda/id/JORFTEXT000033418805.

[32] Law of Spain No. 5/2012 “On Mediation In Civil And Commercial Matters”. (2012, July). Retrieved from https://surl.li/qfruqn.

[33] Law of Ukraine No. 137/98-VR “On the Procedure for Resolving Collective Labour Disputes (Conflicts)”. (1998, March). Retrieved from https://nmcs.gov.ua/areas-of-activities/collective-disputes/disputes-conflicts.

[34] Law of Ukraine No. 1401-VIII “On Amendments to Constitution of Ukraine (Regading to Justice)”. (2016, June). Retrieved from http://zakon5.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1401-19.

[35] Law of Ukraine No. 1701-IV “On Arbitration Courts”. (2021, December). Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/ show/1701-15#Text.

[36] Law of Ukraine No. 1875-IX “On Mediation”. (2021, November). Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1875- 20#Text.

[37] Law of Ukraine No. 1875-IX “On Mediation”. (2022, November). Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1875- 20#Text.

[38] Law Report Commission of Ireland (2010). Alternative dispute resolution: Mediation and conciliation. Dublin: Law Reform Commission.

[39] Legal500. (2024). New Alternative Dispute Resolution Act – milestone in Croatiaʼs attempts to promote conflict resolution in all areas of social life. Retrieved from https://www.legal500.com/developments/thought-leadership/new-alternative-dispute-resolution-act-milestone-in-croatias-attempts-to-promote-conflict-resolution-in-all-areas-of-social-life/.

[40] Legislative Decree of Italy No. 28. “On Implementation of Article 60 of Law No 69 of 18 June 2009 on Mediation for the Conciliation of Civil and Commercial Disputes”. (2010, March). Retrieved from https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:2010-03-04;28!vig=.

[41] Lipiec, S. (2023). An alternative resolution of international disputes: A review of the Polish approach. Studia Europejskie – Studies in European Affairs, 27(3), 157-178. doi: 10.33067/SE.3.2023.9.

[42] Magiera, S., & Weib, W. (2014). Alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in the European Union law. In D. Dragos & B. Neamtu (Eds.), Alternative dispute resolution in European administrative law (pp. 489-536). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-34946-1_16.

[43] Mazaraki, N. (2018). Mediation in Ukraine: Theory and practice. Foreign Trade: Economics, Finance, Law, 84(1), 92-100.

[44] Nuryshchenko, R. (2024a). Genesis, current status, and prospects for the development of the institution of negotiation in Ukraine. Law Journal of the National Academy of Internal Affairs, 14(3), 78-86. doi: 10.56215/naia-chasopis/3.2024.78.

[45] Nuryshchenko, R.S. (2024b). The development of alternative dispute resolution since the independence of Ukraine. Kyiv Law Journal, 2, 17-21. doi: 10.32782/klj/2024.2.2.

[46] Palmer, M., & Roberts, S. (2020). Dispute processes: ADR and the primary forms of decision-making. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

[47] Peters, Sh. (2021). The evolution of alternative dispute resolution and online dispute resolution and online dispute resolution in the European Union. Revista CES Derecho, 12(1), 3-17. doi: 10.21615/cesder.12.1.1.

[48] Pinho, J., McLaughlin, S., & Oberschelp de Meneses, A. (2023). European Commission proposes alternative dispute resolution framework review. Retrieved from https://www.insideprivacy.com/european-union-2/european-commission-proposes-alternative-dispute-resolution-framework-review/.

[49] Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council No. 524/2013 “On Online Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes and Amending Regulation (EC) No. 2006/2004 and Directive 2009/22/EC”. (2013, May). Retrieved from https://eur-lex. europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/524/oj/eng.

[50] Republic of Croatia Ministry of Justice. (2021). National recovery and resilience plan 2021-2016. Retrieved from https://mpudt.gov.hr/national-recovery-and-resilience-plan-2021-2026/25470.

[51] Royal Decree of Spain No. 980/2013 “Implementing Certain Elements of Law 5/2012, of July 6, 2012 on Mediation in Civil and Commercial Matters”. (2013, December). Retrieved from https://www.garrigues.com/sites/default/files/docs/Litigation-Arbitration-updates-4-2013_1.pdf.

[52] Shvetzova, L. (2024). Alternative dispute resolution methods. Retrieved from https://unba.org.ua/publications/8920-al- ternativni-sposobi-virishennya-sporiv.html.

[53] Slyvka, V.V. (2021). Reconciliation of parties in administrative proceedings in the context of European integration of Ukraine. (PhD dissertation, State Higher Educational Institution “Uzhhorod National University”, Uzhhorod, Ukraine).

[54] Tsuvina, N., & Ferz, S. (2022). The recognition and enforcement of agreements resulting from mediation: Austrian and Ukrainian perspectives. Access to Justice in Eastern Europe, 4(16), 32-44.

[55] Tsuvina, T., & Vakhonieva, T. (2022). Law of Ukraine “On Mediation”: Main achievements and further steps of developing mediation in Ukraine. Access to Justice in Eastern Europe, 1(13), 142-153. doi: 10.33327/AJEE-18-5.1- n000104.

[56] UN General Assembly Resolution No. 65/283 “Strengthening the Role of Mediation in the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes, Conflict Prevention and Resolution”. (2011, July). Retrieved from https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/708512/files/A_ RES_65_283-EN.pdf.

[57] UN General Assembly Resolution No. 66/291. (2011, August). Retrieved from https://documents.un.org/access.nsf/get?OpenAgent&DS=A/66/291&Lang=E.

[58] Ustymenko, O.A., Zavalna, Zh.V., Savchenko, V.O., & Voronov, K.M. (2022). Agreements in the mediation procedure: EU Directive and Ukrainian legislation. Academic Visions, 13. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.7606326.

[59] Van Rhee, C. (2021). Mandatory mediation before litigation in civil and commercial matters: A European perspective. Access to Justice in Eastern Europe, 7-24. doi: 10.33327/AJEE-18-4.4-a000082.

[60] Warwas, B. (2016). The state of research on arbitration and EU law: Quo vadis European arbitration? European University Institute Working Paper Law, 23.

[61] Yahyea, Kh. (2012). Alternative dispute resolution (ADR): History, forms, process, mechanism, development, prospects. Saarbrücken: LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing.

[62] Zhomartkyzy, M. (2023). Comparative study of mediation practices in European countries. EUREKA: Social and Humanities, 5, 66-74. doi: 10.21303/2504-5571.2023.003153.